San Antonio Stars vs Connecticut Sun WNBA Preview: Young Guns Face Off in Third Stars vs Sun Matchup; Game Schedule and Streaming Details
Who prevails in the battle from the bottom heap?
This is not a marquee matchup. The San Antonio Stars are set to battle Connecticut Sun in another road game—and for both teams, history had not been kind. Both teams are trying to find a breakthrough two months into the WNBA, with the Stars of the West and the Sun of the East at rock bottom in their respective conferences.
Nevertheless, with roster and leadership changes in place, the two teams may find a reprieve sooner or later, this season or the next. Connecticut leads San Antonio by two games in their series, both played at the Sun home floor.
Departures and arrivals
Get Our Latest News for FREE
To say the San Antonio Stars had rough times is an understatement. The team finished last in the Western Conference in 2015, winning only 8 of 34 games.
A lot of that can be attributed to their struggles in finding a fluid offense. The Stars finished only 30 percent shooting beyond the three-point arc, with scoring leader Kayla McBride the only player who shot more than 25. McBride landed 53 threes for the season on 39 percent shooting.
However, the arrival of 2016 second overall draft pick Moriah Jefferson can potentially turn the tide. Jefferson joins an exciting backcourt with McBride and the fourth fastest paced team in the league, offering a chance at a playoff berth.
"It's played out in my mind as two very young players can lead the team's future in a unique way, with two of the best players in the league," Dan Hughes told WNBA.
It seems their hopes are still in the limbo, at least for this season. McBride and Jefferson share almost 60 minutes per game, with scoring averages of 17.1 and 12.4, respectively. However, the team is still shooting barely 30 percent outside, and have yet to turn around their 6-19 record so far.
With Dan Hughes retiring after 2016, passing the general manager role on former Star Ruth Riley, Alamo City will have to wait for a miracle next season.
Betting on the future
Likewise, the Connecticut Sun had also finished at the bottom of the Eastern Conference in 2015. To add salt to the Stars' wounds, they won both games against the latter at home this season.
Again similar to the Stars, the Sun had also hit full on rebuilding mode this season. With Anne Donovan off the bench and Curt Miller taking the coaching reins, Connecticut had a positive outlook to the 2016 season.
Adding to the optimism, new talent rained on the Sun following this year's draft. Back-to-back picks gave them No. 3 Morgan Tuck from UConn, and No. 4 Rachel Banham from Minnesota, who pulled off a record-tying 60-point game against Northwestern in the NCAA. 2014 Rookie of the Year Chiney Ogwumike also returns from a season-ending injury.
Neither of these pieces offered Connecticut a reprieve. They are averaging a dismal 29.6 percent from beyond the arc. They are also lagging behind everyone except the Stars, with a 9-17 record in the Eastern Conference.
Unless they improve on their disappointing performance this season, Connecticut women's basketball fans may have to wait for another loaded draft. The Stars will face the Sun on August 31, 7:00 ET at Mohegan Sun Arena. Fans can view the matchup online through WNBA League Pass.
